The No. 20 Texas Longhorns (6-2, 3-1 in SEC) might opt for backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell as an emergency starter to take over from first-choice signal-caller Arch Manning, who might not play this weekend against No. 9 Vanderbilt as he remains in concussion protocol.
In the team’s initial injury report, the sophomore nephew of former NFL champions Eli and Peyton Manning was listed as questionable, indicating a 50% chance of playing in the game.
Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian could start the 6’4″ Caldwell over Manning due to his impressive, game-winning 10-yard touchdown throw to Emmett Mosley in overtime that sealed the 45-38 win for the then-No. 22 Texas over Mississippi State.
Who Is Texas QB Matthew Caldwell?
Before being signed by Texas to be the backup quarterback to Arch Manning, Matthew Caldwell spent his first four seasons with Jacksonville State, Gardner-Webb, and Troy, where he completed 289 out of 485 passes for 3,058 yards with 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He had his banner season last year with the Trojans, where he threw for 1,608 yards, with 13 TDs and eight INTs while completing 63.2% of his passes.
The last time he played the full game against a Power 4 team was last season when he played for Troy against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on Sept 14, 2024. Unfazed by the stadium’s notoriety as one of the toughest places to play, Caldwell put a good account of himself. He finished with 14 of 21 completions for 156 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
One of the highlights of that game was his 63-yard, second-quarter TD pass to wide receiver Devonte Ross. He kept the Trojans in the game, being behind 24-21 in the first three quarters, but Iowa pulled off a 38-21 win by scoring two TDs in the payoff period.
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Caldwell, who is pursuing a graduate certificate in Communication & Leadership in Texas, was recruited to back up Arch Manning when he’s having a bad game or is injured.
He was called up to the field by Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian in five games this season and has completed 8 of 11 passes for 86 yards and recorded a touchdown. He also has 64 yards rushing this season, including a 50-yard run against Sam Houston State.
What do His Teammates And Vanderbilt Coach Clark Lea Say about Matthew Caldwell?
Matthew Caldwell is a welcome addition to Texas, as his teammates say. Some of his teammates pointed out that the senior quarterback is the most energetic player on the sidelines. They also admired his work ethic during the offseason.
“We all had a lot of confidence in him, seeing what he can do,” Texas wide receiver Parker Livingstone said. “What he did in the summer, what he did in fall camp.”
Longhorns defensive tackle Hero Kanu, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction over the game-winner that Caldwell threw.
“I’m super happy. I was on the sideline, and I was almost like a tear coming down my eye. Damn. This is insane. That was an insane game,” Kanu said.
Even Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea admires Caldwell’s confidence and his ability to make the pass under intense pressure.
“There are things that make them unique, obviously I think that their skill sets are similar, and we know a little more about Arch this season just because he’s played more snaps, but both can be dangerous and a threat,” he said.
Lea will have a better knowledge of who will play on Saturday hours before kickoff as the Commodores (7-1, 3-1) seek to outclass Texas at their home stadium.
